U.S. patent application number 11/592490 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for ventable package with zipper closure, and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to James E. Buchman, Paul A. Tilman.
Application Number | 20070110343 11/592490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38040879 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070110343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buchman; James E. ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Ventable package with zipper closure, and methods
Abstract
A reclosable polymeric package having a zipper closure at its
mouth and a venting feature that allows air or other fluid to be
vented from the package interior when the zipper closure is sealed.
In one example, the venting feature includes vents covered by a
tape intermittently secured to the package to define fluid
passageways. Methods of use are provided.
Inventors: |
Buchman; James E.;
(Hortonville, WI) ; Tilman; Paul A.; (Sherwood,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Reynolds Consumer Products,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38040879 |
Appl. No.: |
11/592490 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60735780 |
Nov 12, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/63 ; 383/102;
383/103; 383/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2508 20130101;
B65D 33/01 20130101; B65D 2205/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/063 ;
383/103; 383/064; 383/102 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16; B65D 33/01 20060101 B65D033/01 |
Claims
1. A polymeric package, comprising: (a) a surrounding wall having a
bottom edge, together forming an interior; (b) a first zipper
profile member and a second zipper profile member on the
surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge; and (c) a venting
feature on the surrounding wall, the venting feature comprising
vents within the surrounding wall to provide fluid communication
between the interior and a region exterior of the package, and a
tape overlying the vents.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the tape is positioned on an
exterior surface of the surrounding wall.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the surrounding wall has a first
side edge and an opposite second side edge, and the venting feature
extends from the first side edge to the second side edge.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the vents in the surrounding
wall are apertures through the surrounding wall.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the vents in the surrounding
wall are slits through the surrounding wall.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the slits through the
surrounding wall define semi-circles.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein the tape is attached to the
surrounding wall along longitudinal edges of the tape.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein the tape is attached to the
surrounding wall intermittently at attachment regions.
9. The package of claim 8, wherein the tape and the surrounding
wall define a plurality of passages to convey fluid from the
package interior to the region exterior of the package, each of the
passages being between two adjacent attachment regions.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein the surrounding wall comprises
first and second panels, and wherein the venting feature is on the
exterior surface of one of the first and second panels.
11. The package of claim 1, further comprising a slider device
mounted on the first zipper profile member and the second zipper
profile member, the slider device configured to seal the profile
members together when the slider device is moved in a first
direction, and to unseal the profile members when the slider device
is moved in an opposite second direction.
12. A method of using a package, comprising: (a) providing a
package having an interior, a resealable zipper extending across a
mouth of the package and a venting feature including vents and a
tape covering the vents; (b) placing an item in the interior
through the mouth of the package; (c) closing the resealable zipper
after the item is in the interior; and (d) expelling air from the
interior through the venting feature.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein expelling air from the interior
through the venting feature includes squeezing the package to urge
air through the vents and around the tape.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein expelling air includes pushing
air through the vents and through passages defined by areas between
intermittent attachment regions securing the tape to the
package.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein expelling air from the interior
through the venting feature includes pushing air through
cross-shaped vents.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein expelling air from the interior
through the venting feature includes pushing air through flaps.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein expelling air from the interior
through the venting feature includes pushing air through
polygonal-shaped vents.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/735,780, filed on Nov. 12, 2005, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to polymeric packages, and, in
particular, to packages having a resealable closure arrangement and
a venting feature, and methods of manufacturing and using the
packages.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Flexible polymeric packages may be used to hold a variety of
products. Examples of such products include a variety of edible
food products such as cheese, meat, crackers, granular sugar,
powdered sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda, and non-food products
such as laundry detergent, sand, medical supplies, and other
products. Resealable packages are convenient because they can be
closed and resealed after opening to contain the enclosed contents.
Resealable packages are also advantageous in that they extend the
life of food products because they can be opened and closed
(resealed) multiple times. Resealable polymeric packages are used
in environments that include the refrigerator, freezer, and at room
conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to reclosable packages
having a zipper closure. The packages include a venting feature
that allows flow of fluid, such as air, form the interior of the
packages to the outside environment. In use, the venting feature is
used to evacuate air from the interior of the packages, without the
need to open the zipper closure.
[0005] In one particular aspect, the disclosure is to a polymeric
package that has a surrounding wall and a bottom edge, which
together form an interior for receiving items therein. A first
zipper profile member and a second zipper profile member are
present on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge. Access
can be gained to the interior through the mouth that is defined
between the zipper profile members. The package includes a venting
feature on the surrounding wall, the venting feature comprising a
plurality of vents within the surrounding wall to provide fluid
communication between the interior and the exterior of the package,
and a tape overlying the vents. The tape may be attached to the
surrounding wall along longitudinal edges of the tape, and/or may
be attached intermittently at attachment regions. Together, the
tape and the surrounding wall define a plurality of passages that
provide fluid communication between the package interior and the
exterior of the package. The passages allow fluid from the package
interior to flow to the exterior of the package, and vice
versa.
[0006] Various methods for using the package, and of making the
package, are also described.
[0007] These and various other features which characterize the
packages of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in
the attached claims. For a better understanding of the packages of
the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained
by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the
accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and
described preferred embodiments of the invention of this
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a polymeric package
according to the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 1
taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the polymeric package of
FIG. 1 illustrating a portion partially removed to facilitate
understanding of its construction;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view of the polymeric package similar to FIG. 2,
with three suitable alternate embodiments illustrated enlarged;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view of the polymeric package similar to FIG. 1,
with an enlarged view of a portion of the package; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the package of FIGS. 1-4
illustrating a method of using the package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention is directed to a variety of resealable
polymeric packaging arrangements, methods of making the packages
and methods of using the packages.
[0015] Referring now to the figures, a package according to the
present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A. Package 10 has
a first side panel 12 and an opposite second side panel 14 that are
connected at side edges 15, 16, 18. For clarity herein, side edge
15 can be referred to as a bottom edge 15. Side panels 12, 14 are
flexible sheets, typically polymeric film. Examples of suitable
polymeric films for panels 12, 14 are well known, and include
polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Laminated materials may
also be used, which can include, but are not limited to, low
density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon or LDPE and
polypropylene.
[0016] Side panels 12, 14 and side edges 15, 16, 18 define a
surrounding wall 11 having an interior 20 therebetween. Interior 20
is configured for receiving item(s), for example a food item, for
storage within package 10.
[0017] As provided above, side panels 12, 14 meet at bottom edge 15
and side edges 16, 18. Any or all of edges 15, 16, 18 may be seals
or may be folds. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, bottom
edge 15 is a fold between side panel 12 and side panel 14; that is,
a sheet of material has been folded to form panels 12, 14 and
bottom edge 15. Typically, in constructions with bottom edge 15
being a fold, side edges 16, 18 are sealed edges; that is, side
panels 12, 14 are sealed to one another, for example by heat
sealing. In other embodiments, side edge 16 is a folded edge and
bottom edge 15 and side edge 18 are sealed. In yet another
embodiment, both side edges 16, 18 are folded and bottom edge 15 is
sealed. Still further, embodiments of package 10 could have each of
edges 15, 16, 18 being sealed edges. These various edge
configurations are known in the art and any of these are suitable
for package 10.
[0018] Additionally, other configurations of surrounding wall 11
could be used. For example, surrounding wall 11 may include side
gussets or gussets in panels 12, 14 to provide increased volume to
interior 20. Also for example, surrounding wall 11 may have no
discernible side panels 12, 14, but rather, could be a tubular
bag-shaped element. Various other configurations of surrounding
walls 11 are known and are suitable for packages in accordance with
the principles of this disclosure.
[0019] Returning to FIG. 1, package 10 has a top end 17, which is
the side of package 10 opposite bottom edge 15. At top end 17, a
resealable zipper 50 is present. Zipper 50 is present across a
mouth of package 10 that provides access to interior 20. Referring
to FIG. 1A, zipper closure 50 has first zipper profile 52 having a
first profile member 56 and a second zipper profile 54 having a
second profile member 58; first and second zipper profiles 52, 54
are configured to be repeatedly sealed (e.g., closed, engaged,
mated, etc.) and unsealed (e.g., opened, disengaged, unmated,
etc.), for example, by pressure exerted by the user's fingers. In
other words, first and second zipper profiles 52, 54 are
selectively sealable and resealable. In some embodiments, zipper
profiles 52, 54 are configured to provide an indication, for
example by color change, when they are sealed together.
[0020] In the embodiment illustrated, first zipper profile 52 is
connected to first side panel 12 and second zipper profile 54 is
connected to second side panel 14. Zipper profiles 52, 54 could be
integral with their respective side panel 12, 14 or could be
attached thereto, for example, by a heat seal or adhesive. Zippers
50, profiles 52, 54 and profile members 56, 58 are well known in
the art; see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,002; 6,152,600;
5,839,831, and 5,252,281, each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0021] Although not illustrated in the figures, zipper closure 50
may be opened and closed by a slider element, as is well known; see
for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,679,027; Des. 480,988; Des. 479,467,
and 6,450,686, each of which is incorporated herein by reference,
for examples of suitable slider elements.
[0022] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, package 10 includes a
venting structure or feature 30, positioned in and/or on
surrounding wall 11, e.g., in and/or on at least one of side panels
12, 14, to allow escape of air from interior 20 to the exterior of
package 10. If present in and/or on at least one of side panels 12,
14, venting feature 30 may extend from side edge 16 to side edge
18, or may end short of either or both edges 16, 18.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, venting feature 30 includes a
venting tape 35 positioned over an area 13 of side panel 14 having
fluid passageways or vents 100 therethrough. To facilitate
understanding of venting feature 30, FIG. 2 illustrates a portion
of venting tape 35 removed from area 13, thus exposing vents 100 in
side panel 14. Venting tape 35 is attached to side panel 14 in a
manner allowing fluid passages 40 between tape 35 and side panel
14. Venting feature 30, specifically venting tape 35 and vents 100,
provides a path for fluid flow from interior 20 of package 10 to
the exterior of package 10. The fluid to pass through venting
feature 30 can be either or both gaseous or liquid. In most uses of
package 10, the fluid passing through venting feature 30 will be
air with some entrained moisture.
[0024] Vents 100 in area 13 may be any suitable shape or size,
although the vents will generally be less than about 5 mm in their
largest dimension, often less than about 3 mm. Three alternate
configurations for vents 100 are illustrated in FIG. 3. A first
embodiment for vents 100 is crosses 110. In this configuration, no
material from side panel 14 is removed; rather, side panel 14 is
merely cut, slit, punched or otherwise ruptured to allow air to
flow through crosses 110. A second embodiment for vents 100 is
flaps 120, which are illustrated as arcuate or concave flaps in
FIG. 3. In this configuration, no material from side panel 14 is
removed; rather, side panel 14 is merely cut, slit, punched or
otherwise ruptured to define a flap that allows more air to flow
therethrough than through crosses 110. A third embodiment for vents
100 is polygonal apertures 130, which are illustrated as ovals or
ellipses. In this configuration, material is removed from side
panel 14 to form a void in side panel 14. Other polygons, such as
circles, rectangles, triangles, etc. could be used.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of venting tape 35,
showing passages 40 intermittently spaced between attachment
regions 45 (i.e., regions where venting tape 35 is attached to side
panel 14, such as by the application of heat and pressure). Each
passage 40 is positioned between two adjacent attachment regions
45. In the particular embodiment shown, attachment regions 45
extend at least along the edges of venting tape 35 and preferably
provide sufficient volume therebetween for fluid flow. Adherence of
venting tape 35 to side panel 14 may be facilitated by adhesive in
attachment regions 45; however, it is preferred not to have
adhesive across the entire surface of venting tape 35, as it will
inhibit air flow. FIG. 4 illustrates fluid flow 60 through passages
40.
[0026] Venting feature 30 allows fluid, e.g., air, to be expelled
from interior 20 while zipper closure 50 is sealed. The combination
of vents 100 in surrounding wall 11, (e.g., in side panel 14) and
venting tape 35, particularly passages 40, control the rate of
fluid flow from interior 20. It is understood that the flow through
vents 100 and passages 40 can be modified by altering the
characteristic, e.g., the dimensions, shaped, spacing, etc. of
vents 100 and/or passages 40.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, venting tape 35 is positioned
on an exterior surface of side panel 14; it is understood that
venting tape 35 could alternately be positioned on the interior
surface of area 13. It is believed that when venting tape 35 is
positioned on the exterior of side panel 14, air can easily pass
out via venting feature 30 when pressure is applied, but air
movement into interior 20 is difficult, which reduces the ingress
of contaminants from outside of package 10. It is also believed
that when venting tape 35 is positioned on the exterior of side
panel 14, air can easily pass out from interior 20 via venting
feature 30 when pressure is applied, but the flow of liquid is
restricted.
[0028] Various specific details of package 10 have been described.
It is understood, however, that the previous descriptions are not
limiting to features of package 10, and alternate materials,
constructions, and the like could be used to provide a package
according to the present invention. For example, package 10 could
optionally include a sealant stripe, such as a peal seal, which can
be sealed, readily opened, and resealed, on an interior surface of
surrounding wall 11, such as panels 12, 14, in close proximity to
zipper closure 50. Examples of peal seals include those described
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,290,393; 6,210,038, and 6,131, 248, each of
which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a seal could be
used to decrease the possibility of leakage through the mouth of
package 10. Additionally or alternately, package 10 could include a
textured stand-off area in surrounding wall 11, such as in one or
both of panel 12, 14. Such a textured stand-off area is
particularly suitable for packages 10 that are configured for use
in the freezer, e.g., temperatures below about 20.degree. F.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates package 10 in use, retaining an item 150
therein. Item 150 is illustrated as a food item, particularly, a
chicken leg. To place item 150 in package 10, the general following
procedure is followed: zipper 50 is opened, if necessary, by
unmating, unsealing, etc. first and second zipper profiles 52, 54.
Side panels 12, 14 are spread sufficiently far to place item 150
through the mouth and between panels 12, 14. Item 150 should
preferably be positioned between bottom edge 15 and venting feature
30.
[0030] After positioning item 150 in package 10, it is optional to
push or otherwise urge air present in package 10 out via unsealed
zipper 50. Zipper 50 is sealed, providing a seal across package 10.
When pressure is applied to package 10 in an area, such as area 25
between bottom edge 15 and zipper 50, for example by the
application of manual pressure by a user 170, at least some of the
air remaining in interior 20 of package 10 is pushed through
venting feature 30 and out from interior 20 of package 10. In
particular, air passes through vents 100 and then through passages
40.
[0031] Package 10 may be made by generally any suitable process.
For example, package 10 may be made by a horizontal process (e.g.,
where the film forming side surrounding wall 11 moves in a
generally horizontal direction) or a vertical process (e.g., where
the film forming surrounding wall 11 moves in a generally vertical
direction). Vents 100 will generally be present in surrounding wall
11 (e.g., one or both of side panels 12, 14) at the beginning of
the process. Venting tape 35 will typically be applied over vents
100 prior to forming edges 15, 16, 18, and may be present at the
beginning of the package-making process. As mentioned above, any or
all of edges 15, 16, 18 may be folds or seals between side panels
12, 14. If not integral with side panels 12, 14, zipper profiles
52, 54 may be attached to side panels 12, 14 before or after bottom
edge 15 is formed. Similarly, a slider device (if present) may be
applied to zipper profiles 52, 54 before or after incorporation
with side panels 12, 14.
[0032] The above specification and examples are believed to provide
a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular
embodiments of the invention. Because many embodiments of the
invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside
in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *